AXE is going where only few have gone before by giving guys the ultimate out-of-this-world experience: a trip to space. To recruit guys for this once-in-a-lifetime epic journey, AXE is creating the AXE Apollo Space Academy (A.A.S.A) with one of the first men to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin. Beginning today, by joining A.A.S.A at AXEApollo.com, guys and girls will have a chance to compete for one of 22 tickets to travel to space on a flight with international space agency, Space Expedition Corporation (SXC).

There's no bigger hero than an astronaut, so AXE is giving fans a chance to experience an adventure unlike any other. In the biggest product launch in its 30-year history, AXE is asking guys and girls from 60 countries in 45 languages around the globe to sign up for the A.A.S.A by creating their astronaut profile on AXEApollo.com and telling the world why they deserve to go to space. The two from each country with the most votes will win a place at the final stage at the AXE Global Space Camp in Orlando, Florida where the final 22 space travelers will be selected based on competitive space-simulation challenges.

"Space travel for everyone is the next frontier in the human experience," said Buzz Aldrin, legendary astronaut and pilot of the historic Apollo 11 spacecraft that landed on the moon in 1969. "I'm thrilled that AXE is giving the young people of today such an extraordinary opportunity to experience some of what I've encountered in space."

AXE, known as LYNX in some parts of the world, with SXC has secured 22 seats aboard the suborbital spacecraft, aptly named, the Lynx. SXC, led by CEO Michiel Mol, operates XCOR Aerospace's Lynx suborbital space plane that will take passengers more than 100 kilometers into space, achieving astronaut status.

"The AXE Apollo launch is the biggest and most ambitious in the AXE brand's 30 year history," said Tomas Marcenaro, global Vice President for AXE. "For the first time, we're simultaneously launching one global competition in over 60 countries offering millions of people the opportunity to win the most epic prize on earth. A trip to space — yes, actual space."

Sign up for a chance to go to space by joining the A.A.S.A at AXEApollo.com. Terms and conditions vary by market. The full line of AXE Apollo products is available in Body Spray, Deep Space Shower Gel, AXE Apollo Shower Gel, Shampoo & Conditioner 2-in-1 and Deodorant online at Well.ca and major retailers where AXE is sold. For more information visit AXEApollo.com.

p51

Most cool... IF it comes to pass.

I can't help but wonder if all these contests are operating with the hope that thre promised space flight never takes place. Think of it in a marketing standpoint, AXE gets their press for the contest, and who's gonna remember (or even care) years later if the winners never leave the ground or not?

In the past, there have been plenty of contests that have offered future prizes that were calculated ahead of time to be long shots and therefore unlikely that the company would really have to pay out later on (I remember a marketing class in college where we went over this, but that was a few years ago). In some cases, they put time limits on the prize, so even if it DID come to pass, there was a loophole to get the company out of it. I think some (if not most) of these space flight contests are in the same vein.

If I won this, I'd view it as the prize being the probability of meeting Aldrin for more than a few moments, and anything past that would be a bonus as I wouldn't expect a payoff greater than that...

Robert Pearlman

It helps to read the rules...

In the event, the Grand Prize winner does not meet space travel requirements, or if Sponsor is unable to provide trip by December 31, 2020 because of any technical, governmental or other reason, Sponsor will award the winner, the complete prize of a check for $86,000, in lieu of the trip and check for $25,000. Grand Prize will be awarded on or before December 31, 2020.

Having organized space trip giveaways like this for large corporations (including Taco Bell and LucasFilm), the corporations do indeed very much care that the space trip has a reasonable (if not better than) chance of becoming a reality.

These promotions are designed in part to build customer loyalty, so they want to avoid any perception of offering a false prize. In addition, the eventual flight is another opportunity for publicity, which enhances the value of such promotions.

AstroAutos

Could do with a vote or two guys to help me become Ireland's first astronaut!

You can vote for as many people as you like, but each person only once.

star61

My son was in the lead for first few days, so my vote obviously not available! Sadly my "Friend" list can't compete with the young un's...

Captain Apollo

Has XCOR actually ever launched anything?

Hart Sastrowardoyo

Not happy with AXE Philippines brand manager Gem Laforteza saying, "We offer two tips to getting girls to notice you: smell awesome all the time and be a freaking astronaut."

Sure it's kinda funny and neat, but at the same time it's discouraging girls and women from applying, and reinforcing the stereotype that there are men-only careers. (And check out the photo of Filipino babes surrounding the AXE astronaut.)

Robert Pearlman

Keep in mind the product they are trying to sell... AXE is a body spray/deodorant for men. Their target audience is men.

Women can apply for the prize, but the intended promotion is for men. Just as Dr. Pepper Ten is advertised "not for women."

All of AXE's commercials are over-the-top, but I have to say, framing astronauts are over-the-top cool (and sex objects to boot) is something we haven't seen in a long time... and regardless of AXE's marketing goals, it is this sort of "right stuff" image that NASA's corps has been missing.

To space? No. But XCOR's EZ Rocket, which could be seen as an early generation prototype for the Lynx, was the first such rocket-powered private aircraft to fly.

Robert Pearlman

By the way, here's a video showing what AXE Apollo Space Academy will include...

(This is, more or less, the same ground based training that Eric Anderson, Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom and I developed in the early days of Space Adventures...)

Captain Apollo

quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:To space? No. But XCOR's EZ Rocket, which could be seen as an early generation prototype for the Lynx, was the first such rocket-powered private aircraft to fly.

Thanks. I'll be very surprised if anyone ever leaves the ground as a result of this.

Apollo14LMP

The L39 Albatross looks like an RAF BAe Hawk training jet to me... see lots of them flying around where I live and RAF Valley were the RAF Pilots complete their flight training.

Not that you see them much now due to the defense cuts.

Robert Pearlman

quote:Originally posted by Captain Apollo:I'll be very surprised if anyone ever leaves the ground as a result of this.

XCOR is well respected. Their test pilots include Dick Rutan and Rick Searfoss. The company's EZ-Rocket flew 26 times, and their X-Racer flew 40 times.

cspg

The French site for AXE Apollo Space Academy includes a video with Buzz Aldrin (click on "voir la vidéo").

Neil Patrick Harris also stars in a series of commercials:

rgarner

I have applied for the Lynx space program where, if I get enough votes, I can get a chance to go int space.

I would really appreciate everyone's vote and maybe to pass the word on if you would be so kind?

Rob Joyner

Check out the Axe Super Bowl ad:

Wehaveliftoff

The Super Bowl ad was a bunch of crock, very misleading, and leading to no where...

Buzz looked poorly as well.

Hart Sastrowardoyo

The latest twist in the contest: an Egypt protest group signs President Morsi up to go to space:

The April 6 Youth Movement said on its official Facebook page on Thursday that it had entered the Islamist leader’s name in the online contest because it wanted to be rid of him. It called on supporters to vote for the president so he’d have a chance to win the trip into space.

GoesTo11

Sending politicians on a one-way trip off the planet? Now there's a project I can wholeheartedly support.

Semi-seriously, though...I love the AXE Apollo ads and their campaign/contest. I'm (sadly) years beyond their target market, but I can't understand why anyone here would have a problem with it. We constantly complain about how space exploration is neglected in pop culture and public discourse, and now a youth-oriented company bases a marketing campaign on astronauts as heroes... And we still slag that for not being "realistic?" Really?

spaceman

Okay guys, I've signed up too. Nick Deakin of Walsall needs your vote and any others if you can pass them on please. Many thanks.

Apollo14LMP

Just had one of the funniest experiences ever. I went to my local Asda (Wal Mart in the USA). I noticed one of those motion simulators advertising the Lynx Space Academy (Nobody beats an Astronaut).

I turned around to walk into the store intending to come back and have a closer look and walked straight into this guy!

I stopped and had a chat with the Lynx Roadshow Team, who are visiting different locations around the UK — signed up for the promotion. I thought the suit was quite a good replica!

I've entered into the Canadian version of this contest. I'm a science teacher and I hope to experience some physics first hand. You can vote here or join my Facebook page here.

Please give me your support.

SpaceLuke

We meet again SpaceNewfie!!! Luckily this Canadian contest IS big enough for the two of us.

To all others reading, vote for me here and enjoy a laugh at my expense here and here. More videos and an epic rap battle between the SpaceNewfie and myself to come...or...

AstroAutos

Delighted to have finished 38th overall in Stage 1 of the UK competition - will now be heading over to Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherds Bush, London on July 13th for the Stage 2 mental and physical tests.

Four people in total (2/125 each day) will be chosen to progress to Global Space Camp, Stage 3 of the competition.

My quest to become Ireland's 1st astronaut continues!

Robert Pearlman

After a yearlong competition, and one week of "astronaut training," 21 men and two women from around the world have been chosen for free flights on XCOR Aerospace's LYNX spaceplane as part of Unilever's Axe Apollo Space Academy, SPACE.com reports:

For the past week, more than 100 participants from over 60 countries around the world have taken part in mental aptitude tests, combat training in a fighter jet and zero-gravity flights to distinguish themselves as the most worthy of one for one of the coveted tickets to space with Space Expedition Corporation under a project by the makers of Axe Apollo body spray. SXC manages trips aboard the reusable XCOR Aerospace Lynx spacecraft, a commercial space plane that is expected to begin flying customers in 2014 or 2015.

After a yearlong competition, and one week of astronaut training, the lucky winners of the 23 tickets were announced here at the AXE Apollo Space Academy Thursday (Dec. 5) in the rocket garden at the Kennedy Space Center. A ticket on the Lynx usually costs $95,000.

...two women and 20 more men from 21 different countries — including Canada, South Africa, Thailand and China — also won tickets to fly aboard Lynx. Four women competed in the space academy alongside 105 men.The complete list of winners will be released soon, Axe Apollo Space Academy officials said.